Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/71195
Type: Conference paper
Title: Continent on the edge: communicating African migrants' economic contributions to Australia
Author: Anyanwu, J.
Citation: Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA) Conference: Communication on the edge, Hamilton, New Zealand, 6-8 July, 2011 / A. Henderson (ed.): pp.1-20
Publisher: ANZCA
Publisher Place: www
Issue Date: 2011
Conference Name: Australian and New Zealand Communication Association Conference (ANZCA) (2011 : Hamilton, New Zealand)
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Chika Anyanwu
Abstract: Africa has been on the edge of global communication for a long time. It has been the object of media hype and political mimicry. Unfortunately, little research evidence has been available to shift such negative, myopic and stereotypical gaze, especially when the continent is besieged by constant political unrest and economic mismanagement. This research aims at lifting African image beyond the edge, by using available data to balance the knowledge gap and misunderstanding of Africans in Australia. According to Tom Calma (2007, as cited in Australian Human Rights Commission, 2010), former Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, African Australians have so much to contribute to the Australian society, but this can only happen when there is a sense of belonging, when people feel part of this country, when they call this country home because African-born Australians make up about 6% of the Australian population. The general image and perception of Africans in Australia and in many other parts of the western world is premised on humanitarianism, poverty stricken and social disorder with little acknowledgement of the economic contributions made by people of African descent. In the context of the above, this paper uses creative econometrics to estimate African Australians’ economic contributions to the economy through three input analyses. Through such analyses, the research hopes to shift the negative gaze of Africans in the media and enable some objective analyses. The first is an analysis of economic inputs of skilled Africans and African business migrants, using Access Economics 2008 migration modelling. The second is an analysis of economic contributions of African humanitarian migrants using remittance commissions to calculate economic stimulation and finally, the third analysis is of African students’ contributions in the multibillion dollar education industry as well as indirect contribution through intellectual capital inputs. It is expected that the outcome of these analyses will trigger some rethink on immigration debates as well as the negative perception of Africans in Australia.
Rights: © Copyright ANZCA 2011
Description (link): http://www.anzca.net/conferences/anzca11-proceedings.html
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest
Media Studies publications

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